How to Install Calibre on Fedora 40 or 39

Calibre is a powerful and versatile e-book management software that allows users to organize, convert, and read e-books in various formats. It supports a wide range of e-book formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more, making it an essential tool for e-book enthusiasts and digital librarians. Calibre also offers features such as library management, e-book conversion, syncing with e-book readers, and editing e-book metadata.

To install Calibre on Fedora 40 or 39, you can use two primary methods. The recommended method is through Fedora’s AppStream, which provides a stable and straightforward installation process. Alternatively, you can install Calibre via Flatpak with Flathub, offering a sandboxed environment that can sometimes provide newer versions depending on the repository updates. This guide will walk you through both installation methods.

Method 1: Install Calibre via DNF Package Manager

Refresh Fedora Linux Before Calibre Installation

To begin, update your Fedora Linux system to ensure a smooth installation process and maintain system health. Open your terminal and execute the command:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This command refreshes the system packages and applies any available updates, which is crucial for system stability and compatibility with new software installations.

Install Calibre via DNF Commands

Next, install Calibre directly from Fedora’s default repository. This approach provides you with a stable and reliable version of Calibre. Fedora’s frequent release cycle, typically every six months, ensures the software is reasonably current.

To install Calibre, enter the following command in your terminal:

sudo dnf install calibre

This command installs Calibre, leveraging Fedora’s package management system for an efficient and secure installation.

Method 2: Install Calibre via Flatpak and Flathub

Re-install Flatpak (Situational)

If Flatpak was previously uninstalled on your Fedora system, you must reinstall it. Flatpak is a universal package management system that offers access to various applications.

To reinstall Flatpak, open your terminal and input the following command:

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

This command reinstalls Flatpak on your system, ensuring you can access and manage applications distributed via this platform.

Enable Flathub for Calibre Installation

Once Flatpak is installed, the next step is to enable Flathub. Flathub is a repository for Flatpak applications, providing a diverse collection of apps, including Calibre. Enable Flathub by running:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, allowing you to install applications from Flathub.

Finalize Flatpak Calibre Installation

With Flathub enabled, you can now install Calibre using Flatpak. Flatpak installations often offer newer versions of applications compared to standard repositories. Install Calibre with the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.calibre_ebook.calibre

This command fetches and installs the latest Calibre package from Flathub, ensuring you have the most recent features and updates.

Troubleshoot Flatpak Calibre Installation

If you encounter an error stating, “Unable to load summary from remote flathub,” indicating that the Flathub repository is disabled, rectify this by enabling the repository:

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

Executing this command re-enables the Flathub repository, resolving the issue and allowing the installation of Calibre via Flatpak to proceed.

Launch Calibre via CLI Commands or GUI

CLI Commands to Launch Calibre

For direct terminal launch:

calibre

Alternatively, Flatpak users will need to launch using the command below from a terminal instance:

flatpak run com.calibre_ebook.calibre

GUI Method to Launch Calibre

The graphical user interface offers a more intuitive method of launching applications for those who prefer not to use terminal commands.

1. Accessing Applications: Click on Activities at the top left of your screen.
2. Viewing All Applications: Choose Show Applications to see your installed applications.
3. Finding Calibre: Locate Calibre by scrolling or using the search feature.
4. Opening Calibre: Click the Calibre icon to start the application.

Initial Configuration Calibre Setup Wizard

Designating the Installation Directory

When you open Calibre for the first time on Fedora Linux, the setup wizard will guide you through configuring your e-book management preferences.

• Choosing the Directory: The wizard asks you to set the default installation directory. You can input a custom path or accept the pre-selected default, which suits most user requirements. After selecting the directory, click Next to proceed.

Specifying Your Device

The next step involves selecting a device for optimized e-book format compatibility.

• Device Selection: Fedora Linux users should pick a device from the available list. The ‘Generic’ option is recommended for broad compatibility, as it ensures e-book accessibility across various devices. After choosing, click Next to continue.

Concluding the Welcome Wizard

The final screen of the welcome wizard is straightforward.

• Completing Setup: Click Finish to complete the initial setup. This action finalizes your preferences and opens the door to Calibre’s comprehensive e-book management features.

Navigating the Calibre Application

Upon exiting the welcome wizard, the main interface of Calibre will be displayed.

• Exploring Calibre: The main interface is your gateway to managing your e-book library. It includes features for converting e-book formats, editing metadata, and more. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with its layout and functionalities.

Managing Calibre

Updating Calibre

Keeping Calibre updated ensures access to the latest features and security patches. The update method depends on how Calibre was installed on your Fedora system.

DNF Update Method for Calibre

For installations done through DNF, use the following command to update Calibre:

sudo dnf update --refresh

This command refreshes the repository data and updates Calibre and other installed packages to their latest versions.

Flatpak Update Method for Calibre

If Calibre was installed using Flatpak, execute this command to update it:

flatpak update

This command checks for updates in all installed Flatpak applications, including Calibre, and applies them.

Removing Calibre

If Calibre is no longer needed, it can be removed from the system using the method corresponding to the initial installation.

DNF Remove Method for Calibre

To remove Calibre installed via DNF, use:

sudo dnf remove calibre

This command uninstalls Calibre and cleans up any associated data installed through the DNF package manager.

Flatpak Remove Method for Calibre

For Calibre installations via Flatpak, the following command will uninstall it:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data com.calibre_ebook.calibre

This command uninstalls Calibre and deletes any related data, ensuring a clean removal.

Conclusion

With Calibre successfully installed on your Fedora system, you can efficiently manage your e-book collection and take advantage of its powerful features. Using Fedora’s AppStream is recommended for its stability and ease of use, while Flatpak with Flathub offers an alternative for those who prefer a sandboxed environment. Regular updates, especially when using AppStream, will ensure that you have access to the latest features and improvements, making your e-book management on Fedora smooth and efficient.